The Running Thread - 2016

[rteetz]

QOTD: Are there things that are widely accepted as the norm or consensus opinion when it comes to running that you do not buy into? What are they? For example.... running hills at a steady effort rather than a steady pace... not sure how the heart rate people out there would answer this one?

This is a good question that I am not really sure how to answer for me personally.

I run both outdoors and on treadmill, I have worn something new on a race day, I wear the same shoes most of the time, I run with an iPhone in my hand most of the time. I probably should fuel more on longer runs.

I think everyone has something that are against the norm that work for them and make them the runner that they are.

 

[ZellyB]

ATTQOTD: Count me in with most other things mentioned - especially on the things related to form. For the vast majority of us who are not elite, most of those types of things just don't make a big enough difference to focus on.

 

[croach]

Is it bad that my answer is "most things"? I can't think of a specific example but I feel like I see people (here on the DIS and elsewhere) quote some things like they are "gospel" - how to train, form, how to fuel, etc. - when no one can say for certain what works best for every single person. We are all different and it takes experimentation to find what works best - or, said way more eloquently, "we are all an experiment of one."

I'll just let this be my answer to the QOTD.

 

[JohnRPG]

QOTD: Are there things that are widely accepted as the norm or consensus opinion when it comes to running that you do not buy into? What are they? For example.... running hills at a steady effort rather than a steady pace... not sure how the heart rate people out there would answer this one?

ATTQOTD: Shoes seem to be my biggest sticking point. I've been told by two different running shops that I pronate significantly. Wearing pronation corrective shoes caused me massive pain after just a couple of runs. Switching back to neutral shoes all that went away. It may be that I'm totally wrong about what's best for the long term, but the short term made the transition untenable for me.

 

[DopeyBadger]

QOTD: Are there things that are widely accepted as the norm or consensus opinion when it comes to running that you do not buy into? What are they? For example.... running hills at a steady effort rather than a steady pace... not sure how the heart rate people out there would answer this one?

A very good QOTD. I'll echo @Ariel484 and say there are very few universal truths when it comes to running. Just look at the responses so far: 10% mileage increase, proper form, proper shoes, shoe rotation, undertrained, new stuff on race day, cadence, gait, treadmill, hills, tangents...

In actuality if you think about it, this QOTD is a reflection on this thread in general and concept of "QOTD". If there were one universal answer to a "QOTD", then it would be a pretty boring thread. But because there are so many different ways to get at the same result it goes to show there are few universal truths.

There are points and counter points to almost all concepts and that's because while we are all human there are a lot of unique circumstances that come down to how we get from point A to point B. So many minute characteristics that define the best training plan, the best form, the best fueling strategy, the best pre and post meal, the best shoe, the best clothes, the best weather, the best anything... Critical analysis, trial and error, defining what works best for you, are all ways to define your own personal universal truths.

 

[Ariel484]

I'll just let this be my answer to the QOTD.

I'll allow it.

 

[ebradley23]

I think it was mentioned before in a QOTD, but has anyone tried out the noxgear tracer 360? How do you like it?

https://www.noxgear.com/tracer360

I have been using mine for 3 years. It has managed to keep me from becoming a hood ornament this entire time. I've actually had drivers pull up along side me to thank me for being so visible. It's super comfortable. I don't even notice it.

 

[LSUlakes]

I've had one for about a month and love it. I honestly can't really come up with many downsides to it. Every once in a while the underside tube gets caught in my glove, but otherwise it's been great. I give it my 100% highly recommended thumbs-up.

I have one, and have used it for the nighttime legs on my a couple of my Relay races. I don't normally wear it for runs in my neighborhood though. It is very nice, and you really don't feel like you are wearing it, and I like it more then a reflective vest. Like @DopeyBadger , I have caught my hand on the lower tube every once in a while

I have been using mine for 3 years. It has managed to keep me from becoming a good ornament this entire time. I've actually had drivers pull up along side me to thank me for being so visible. It's super comfortable. I don't even notice it.

Thanks @DopeyBadger @gjramsey and @ebradley23 for the comments. DW wanted to know if I wanted one and I wasn't sure about it. With positive comments from yall I will go ahead and pull the trigger.

I also hate tight 180 turnarounds and for the sake of my legs...I'll take em a little wide if I can.

They are just the worse thing ever!!!!!!!!!! I can not stress enough how much I hate making a U-turn during a race and how much it disrupts every bit of momentum I have prior to taking that turn. I literally curse having to take the turn for a good 10 minutes after making one.
Ok maybe I went a little long on that one, but I really dislike a U-turn during a race

 

[surfde22]

QOTD: Are there things that are widely accepted as the norm or consensus opinion when it comes to running that you do not buy into? What are they? For example.... running hills at a steady effort rather than a steady pace... not sure how the heart rate people out there would answer this one?

1. I think this question has been thoroughly answered by everyone else's post. Though for me I think the biggest one is form and cadence.

I think it was mentioned before in a QOTD, but has anyone tried out the noxgear tracer 360? How do you like it?

https://www.noxgear.com/tracer360

I have to agree with @DopeyBadger and say the Tracer360 is great. My hand does catch it a occasionally as well, but nothing that would keep me from using it.

 

[roxymama]

Thanks @DopeyBadger @gjramsey and @ebradley23 for the comments. DW wanted to know if I wanted one and I wasn't sure about it. With positive comments from yall I will go ahead and pull the trigger.

They are just the worse thing ever!!!!!!!!!! I can not stress enough how much I hate making a U-turn during a race and how much it disrupts every bit of momentum I have prior to taking that turn. I literally curse having to take the turn for a good 10 minutes after making one.
Ok maybe I went a little long on that one, but I really dislike a U-turn during a race

My 15k from a few weeks back had at least 5 of them going up a gradual uphill during parts of mile 8 and 9. In hindsight I'm glad I didn't know about them ahead of time so I couldn't psyche myself out. Definitely momentum killers! I'm sure they weren't that bad in reality, but at the time I was not too keen on them.

 

[cavepig]

Is it bad that my answer is "most things"? I can't think of a specific example but I feel like I see people (here on the DIS and elsewhere) quote some things like they are "gospel" - how to train, form, how to fuel, etc. - when no one can say for certain what works best for every single person. We are all different and it takes experimentation to find what works best - or, said way more eloquently, "we are all an experiment of one."

Yeah, I'll just use her answer too as mine

 

[Waiting2goback]

Good morning everyone and hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and weekend. Congrats to all those who raced over the holiday!

QOTD: Give your thoughts on core strength training. How much gives you most of the benefit? Which exercises should we do (or do you do)? Is it helpful?

ATTQOTD: Since I really haven't made this part of my routine I don't have any solid answers to this question but was curious what are some of yalls routines.

Prior to my surgery I did no strength training. Now that I am limited on what exercises I can do, and was forced back into P90X I now see how important it is. I have felt muscles I haven't felt in a while. I still have work to do but I will be sure to keep it up once I am running again.

To start things off I would like to say that my thoughts and prayers are with those effected by yesterdays events at Ohio State University and for those dealing with the fires in Tennessee.

QOTD: Are there things that are widely accepted as the norm or consensus opinion when it comes to running that you do not buy into? What are they? For example.... running hills at a steady effort rather than a steady pace... not sure how the heart rate people out there would answer this one?

ATTQOTD: The 10% rule on mileage increase. I think in certain situations that percentage can go way up or down depending on the situation.

I don't worry about the widely accepted theories out there. As John often says, we are an experiment of one (I am paraphrasing), so I just to focus on what works for me. I pay attention to recommendations from others and try to incorporate them when I can.

I have been quiet on the thread as of late because I feel disconnected not being able to run still. But, I read @FFigawi 's race report and I wanted to say congratulations on a job well done John. I was following along on race day but it's fun hear all the details. I actually found myself getting nervous as I was reading the first part leading up to the race. Great Job!


My recovery is progressing. I finally got on the elliptical for the first time today. That is the last step before moving to the treadmill. I was thinking this wouldn't hurt at all but now I see why the doctor put this step in. It hurt pretty bad. I am about a month away from starting to transition back to running.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

QOTD: Are there things that are widely accepted as the norm or consensus opinion when it comes to running that you do not buy into? What are they? For example.... running hills at a steady effort rather than a steady pace... not sure how the heart rate people out there would answer this one?

I have a couple of these...

Motion control shoes... in most cases, I think it's shoe selling gobbledygook. Now, there are a handful of real stability shoes that are built to hold your ankle steady on a run, but they are heavy and bulky, and I've never actually seen one of these models in a store. For the shoes you do see in stores, the physics of the force being applied overwhelms the construction of the shoe. HOWEVER, that's not to say that a 'motion control' shoe isn't the right one for you, and there are plenty of runners that find they get a lot of benefit from that type of shoe. I just don't recommend being married to it at the expense of all else.

Running form... I'll actually get more specific, because I think there are some universal things we should all do, but I want to focus on heel strike. Heel strike is not bad! BUT, and it's a big but... BRAKING IS REALLY BAD! It's just that the two tend to happen together, but not necessarily. You can still land on your forefoot, and still be braking with each step if you're reaching out too far. It's all about keeping the ground sliding underneath you smoothly, and your legs along with it, which you can do at 5:00/mile or 14:00/mile.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

My recovery is progressing. I finally got on the elliptical for the first time today. That is the last step before moving to the treadmill. I was thinking this wouldn't hurt at all but now I see why the doctor put this step in. It hurt pretty bad. I am about a month away from starting to transition back to running.

Have you also looked into aqua jogging? Once you get to a point where the movement doesn't hurt, but supporting the weight still does like on an elliptical, aqua jogging is a great way to build and maintain running fitness and get in longer workouts without the pain. I looked into this a while ago, but couldn't find a pool deep enough. (It's supposed to be complete zero impact, so you don't even touch the bottom. Lots of stuff online on how to do it correctly.)

 

[FFigawi]

I have been quiet on the thread as of late because I feel disconnected not being able to run still. But, I read @FFigawi 's race report and I wanted to say congratulations on a job well done John. I was following along on race day but it's fun hear all the details. I actually found myself getting nervous as I was reading the first part leading up to the race. Great Job!

Thanks! Good to see you back around here again.

My recovery is progressing. I finally got on the elliptical for the first time today. That is the last step before moving to the treadmill. I was thinking this wouldn't hurt at all but now I see why the doctor put this step in. It hurt pretty bad. I am about a month away from starting to transition back to running.

Good progress in making it back to the elliptical. Once your muscles remember what they're supposed to do, I hope the pain and soreness goes away.

 

[Anisum]

QOTD: Give your thoughts on core strength training. How much gives you most of the benefit? Which exercises should we do (or do you do)? Is it helpful?

Yoga and swimming when I can.

QOTD: Are there things that are widely accepted as the norm or consensus opinion when it comes to running that you do not buy into? What are they? For example.... running hills at a steady effort rather than a steady pace... not sure how the heart rate people out there would answer this one?

I agree with everyone who has spoken thus far. I would say running form and cadence are my to big ones.

 

[camaker]

To start things off I would like to say that my thoughts and prayers are with those effected by yesterdays events at Ohio State University and for those dealing with the fires in Tennessee.

QOTD: Are there things that are widely accepted as the norm or consensus opinion when it comes to running that you do not buy into? What are they? For example.... running hills at a steady effort rather than a steady pace... not sure how the heart rate people out there would answer this one?

A lot of good ones already. I'll go along with cadence as being my answer. My cadence is what it is, regardless of my pace. The quickest way I have found to aggravate my knees is to try to increase my cadence to "ideal" levels.

I think it was mentioned before in a QOTD, but has anyone tried out the noxgear tracer 360? How do you like it?

https://www.noxgear.com/tracer360

Love my Tracer360! It really increases my visibility and I don't have any issues catching my hand in it.

 

[Ariel484]

Yeah, I'll just use her answer too as mine

Again, I'll allow it. Feeling very generous today...



...

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

QOTD: Are there things that are widely accepted as the norm or consensus opinion when it comes to running that you do not buy into? What are they? For example.... running hills at a steady effort rather than a steady pace... not sure how the heart rate people out there would answer this one?

It is a widely accepted norm that in order to run trails you need a big beard and a fondness for granola. While I like my granola as much as the next guy, I have never for the life of me been able to grow a beard, let alone a bushy outdoorsy one. I also find the beard requirement discriminating towards women. Norms are meant to be broken and I refuse to buy into this one!

 

[PrincessV]

ATTQOTD: Hmm... I'm a vocal supporter of "nothing new on race day!" - but I've totally worn new shirts/skirts/capris/shoes on race day, lol! Ice baths: I listened, I tried, my body gets nothing useful from them. "Never run two days in a row" - turns out, my body thrives on back to back runs!

On the shoe front, I've given up entirely on the concept of sorting feet into different categories. My current rotation includes both stability and neutral models, drops ranging from 3mm to 12mm, and a variety of levels of support and materials in the upper. I don't trust running store shoe fitters after being steered wrong too many times and I just go by how a shoe feels when I run in it.